Cement Tiles: An Artisanal Touch

If you're looking for a softer, more artisanal look in your home, you may want to consider cement tiles. Cement tiles give the appearance of a handmade product. And in the case of the tiles you see here, you can get the look of an encaustic tile, which is known for the use of multiple colors of clay within a single tile.

They're a bit different than the typical tiles you see at Mission Stone & Tile. While porcelain tiles gain their strength from firing in a kiln, cement tiles gain their strength from curing. The saturated pigment on these cement tiles ensures that the material will remain beautiful and durable for years to come, while the inherent characteristics will give it a natural patina over time. The tiles will get worn a bit - like your favorite pair of jeans.

Electra Encaustic Cement Tiles are available in Marine Bone (blue) and Steel Grey and can be used on walls and floors. Just be sure to understand the inherent characteristics of cement tile before you buy! The material will scratch and patina, showing a worn, or patinaed look over time. If you like the artisanal look (and so many of our customers do - and we do too!) then cement tile is for you. If you prefer a material that holds up to wear and tear while remaining relatively unchanged over time, check out our Electra Grande Porcelain Tile, which has a similar look, a larger size, more colors - and a different material composition & production process, making it very durable.

Electra - Steel Grey

Decade-adent: Classic Subway Tiles

Shag carpeting. Olive green refrigerators. Geometric patterns. Trends come and go. So isn't it delightful when we see a design element that spans decades? The original subway tile is one of few design elements that remains every bit as popular today as it was when it was first invented. And - in the case of the subway tile - that would be the early 1900's.

You probably already know that, as its name suggests, the tile was originally used in subway systems. It became known for its durability, ease of maintenance, low cost and simplicity in design. Today, we find that it complements some of the most beautiful kitchen and bathroom designs in the world.

The original white subway tile is a classic. And with some styles around only $3 a square foot, it's one of the most economical ways to give your kitchen or bathroom a makeover.

Snow White - 2x4 Glossy Subway Tile 

Whether you're looking for the classic white subway tile or a new, modern take on the classic subway tile, you can find it here in our Essentials Subway Tile Collection.















Get inspired!

PINTEREST
Check out today's modern take on the 1900's style in white subway tiles on Pinterest.
Find trends and classic styles in backsplash tiles on Pinterest.

BLOGS / INTERESTING READS
See what Design Milk has to say about subway tile in Design Milk's Article: Tactile Subway Tiles: An Updated Spin on a Design Classic.


And check out this write-up in the New York Times about the original subway tile.

Apartment Therapy also did a wonderful article called A Brief History of Subway Tile.

The Essentials Collection

The Essentials Collection

The Essentials Collection

The Essentials Collection 

The Essentials Collection

Photos courtesy of Leslee Mitchell

The Many Shades of Grey: Selecting Grey Finishes

Whether you are renovating your kitchen or bathroom, the many shades of grey are popular choices for your cabinetry, countertops, and tile. You can transform your space and take it from drab to fab with some paint and tile! You can complete a tone on tone look with grey painted cabinets, a grey and white countertop, and grey tile. This subtle look is luxurious and updated, especially when you install a lighter shade of grey tile, or go for a white and grey mosaic!

A medium grey paint is a good choice for your cabinets, and here is a little tip: be sure to sand and prime your cabinets before you start painting! This will save you time and money in the long run. Your paint will easily chip or scrape off if your cabinetry is not properly cleaned, sanded, and primed before you start with your paint color. When you have prepped your cabinets, it should only take one to two coats of the grey paint.

If you have your heart set on a specific grey backsplash, bring the tile sample with you to the paint store. There is nothing worse than coming home with the wrong shade of paint when you are ready to go gung ho and start painting! Grey can be tricky. There are cool greys and there are warm greys. The cooler greys have a bluish undertone, and warmer greys have a brownish undertone. If you love our Carrara mosaics then you will want to select a cool grey paint color, but if you love our Spain Grey Curve Appeal Mosaic, then you will want to select a warmer, taupe grey. Your local paint store would be able to help you select the right shade, but you may want to purchase a couple of test paint samples and bring them home. Paint a few spots of the paint samples on your cabinets and hold your tile sample next to them when the spots are dry.

Lighting plays a big part in how your new paint will look in your space. You can purchase our tile samples online, and play with the many shades of grey paint until you find the right one for your home!

You can buy your SHADES OF GREY HERE.

Cheers to the Classics! Black & White Designs That Take Us Back

A little black dress is always a good choice, just like black and white tiles. You can dress them up or dress them down. They live in upscale lofts downtown, and quaint little kitchens in the country. Black and white tile designs work with so many styles, and we offer these retro inspired looks fit for your Craftsman or contemporary city lifestyle.

Flooring to Bar Countertops, our Hex Appeal Stone Hexagon Mosaic is not only a popular choice, it graces the home of one of Country’s crooners. Luckily for you, you do not have to have a CMA to get your hands on this beauty. This beautiful stone mosaic looks oh so pretty with our Antique Mirror Tiles too! Is there really anything more glamorous? Unwinding after a long day, or getting date night ready would be a joy in this bathroom space!

From mini Hexagons that donned ice cream parlors of the past, to scintillating modern designs that you’ll want to design your whole home around! Our Mini Hexs in Black and White Flowerette Patterns are perfect for bathroom and shower floors, and you can go for an all vintage look with white Subways on the walls. Add a little black pencil liner in your design for a sophisticated and classic look, and black vanities look luxe against all white Subways!

If you love this vintage look, you’ll also love the classic Black and White Basketweave mosaics! Offered in ceramic or natural stone, you can have all the elegance on a budget and ready to ship to your doorstep in about a week! Take a look at our popular and classic Black and White Mosaics, and the hardest thing you’ll have to do is decide which one you like best!

Photos by Alyssa Rosenheck

Choosing High-Quality Porcelain Tile

If  you're working on a home renovation, choosing porcelain tile is probably just one of the items on your to-do list. With so many options and so many resources, it can be difficult to choose where to go and what to select. And given that you're having it installed (or installing it yourself if you're into DIY projects) you're going to want to choose a tile that you'll be happy with for years to come. This means choosing a tile that not only looks great, but is also durable and high-quality. Many of you know that not all porcelain tiles are created equal, so it's good to know what to look for when choosing a tile. Check out this infographic that explains how tile is made and what differentiates high-quality tiles from others. Check out our porcelain tile selection here.

Think Outside the Plank: Wood Look Hexagons

The warmth, texture, and pattern of wood porcelain planks have come a long way since they first made their appearance, and now there is a new kid on the block. Make no mistake about it, the hex appeal is real. We love our stone hexagon designs, but this Wood Look Hexagon Tile is so versatile and durable for most flooring and wall applications. Warm up your space with these large format hexagons in your living room, and their size and shape make for the perfect flooring in your bathroom. Not only will this pattern help with slip resistance, you can have the look of real wood inlay without the added expense. With its low pricepoint and high durability (which is what porcelain tile is known for!) these Wood Look Hexes just might be the perfect tile for your home renovation.

The naturalistic wood grain and contrasting inlay looks best with a complementary larger format tile, or you can go for classic subways on your shower walls. Treat these Wood Look Hexagons just as you would porcelain planks, and install them indoors or carry them out onto your patio. Their unique design is offered in an 8” inlay or 8” format without an inlay, and available in various warm wood tones.


Wood Look Hexes accommodate several different styles such as transitional, traditional, eclectic, and contemporary designs. The possibilities are endless with this kind of design freedom, and you can let your style and personality shine with the rest of the finishes and furnishings! Wood Look Hexes allow for you to change up the design of your home over the years without compromising style.

SHOP WOOD LOOK PORCELAIN TILES

Geometric Patterns & Kitchen Trends: Mud Mosaics

When it comes to designing or renovating your kitchen, tying all the colors and materials together is the hardest part. While natural stone tiles have always been around, their classic appeal now comes in the form geometric patterns. With a fresh spin on an old classic, our Mud Mosaics offer simplistic yet artistic appeal that creates a unique texture for your home. The natural marbling combined with geometric patterns creates a subtle and unique way to create a focal point in your home.

Open shelving is a great way to display your everyday household wares, and gives you an opportunity to select a truly unique tile installation. Feature Mud Mosaics on your kitchen backsplash combined with open shelving for a transitional look that is here to stay. From creamy whites, rich browns, and earthy greys, the Mud Mosaic Collection offers an array of patterns to showcase in your kitchen. The wood look is making a comeback. From cabinetry, open shelving, to exposed wood beams, warm wood tones pair perfectly with natural stone. Setting these two materials as your main features, select a paint color for your walls that will allow the stone and wood to shine.

Bring in your Mud Mosaic sample and a wood sample to your local paint store, and select a warm paint color that complement your kitchen. This does not mean you need to paint your walls red, but you could select a warm white, taupe, or warm grey paint that would tie it all together. Remembering to keep your focus on the tile installation, all the other pieces will fall into place. Working with natural materials such as stone and wood makes it easy to keep everything else fairly simple. The natural patterns and textures that stone and wood offer creates a beautiful design that will surpass all trends.

Walk the Plank: The Skinny on Wood-Look Porcelain Tiles

We have seen them on HGTV and they look amazing, but are Wood Porcelain Tiles worth the investment? The answer is yes! Get on board with Wood Plank Porcelain Tiles, and say goodbye to expensive wood flooring. Porcelain Wood Plank Tiles have come a long way in the past few years, and the technology and engineering is something you can get behind. Not only are Porcelain Tiles durable, party proof, and easy to clean, there are so many amazing textures and colors that give you the look of real wood without the fuss.

Our textured Rigo Porcelain Tiles take on the appearance of reclaimed wood tiles, and are offered in contemporary color choices such as a black or white finish. Their rustic texture combined with their long plank size are perfect for achieving a herringbone pattern on your floor. European style meets contemporary farmhouse with our Rigo collection, and you can even install these tiles on your walls too. Install a random offset on your fireplace wall, or bring these tiles outdoors. The unique and realistic texture is perfect for wet areas, such as your pool surrounds and patio.

Porcelain Wood Planks require little maintenance and are incredibly easy to care for. I do recommend having all tiles and grout sealed, especially for flooring applications for even easier clean up. Most non-abrasive household cleaners will work just fine on your wood porcelain tiles, and you will not have to worry about warping when wet. Wood flooring is great, but Porcelain Wood Tiles are a fabulous investment for your home. If you are looking to sell your home, Wood Porcelain Tiles are so hot right now and buyers love to see this upgrade when house hunting! More durable than wood and laminate wood floors, you will get the most bang for your buck when you install Wood Porcelain Tiles for many years to come. You can expect your order to ship quickly, so you can have it installed quickly - just in time to host that party you've been thinking about. There are so many reasons why you should take the plunge, why settle for less?

Meet Your Match with the Mate Collection

Deciding on the right décor for your home can be a lot like finding your mate for life. Can I commit to these tiles? Is this fabric too high maintenance for my lifestyle? Will I tire of these paint colors over the years? These are all questions and concerns you may have while designing a space. Whether you hire an interior designer or not, choices will have to be made. Just like deciding on when to settle down with someone, you will have to move on from the dorm days style at some point. No one said it would be easy, but there are a few steps you can take that will help you achieve the look you desire without commitment issues. Committing to a tile can be an easy decision if you go with a classic and not trendy look. Marble has been a classic go-to look for centuries, and you can see why when you discover it’s natural beauty. Concerned about the maintenance? A simple solution would be to go with the marble look without the upkeep. Our Mate Collection offers a realistic marble look, but is actually a porcelain tile! We love the Chevron pattern in MarmoNero. The intense beauty of this marble look offers a graceful design that would pair beautifully with a white marble look alike like our MarmoBianco on the walls in your bathroom. You could choose either a black or white marble porcelain option from the Mate Collection and even pair them with White Glossy Subways or another classic shape like our Hexagon Mosaics.

The Mate Collection can also be used in larger living spaces such as your living room and kitchen. We love the look of the high contrast with white furniture and walls mixed with the dark Marmo Nero floor. If you are too afraid of a dark floor, a lighter option like a replicated limestone look would be right up your alley. 

Our TerraAvorio option from the Mate Collection opens up the possibilities for color options in the rest of your space. While white and black options offer many opportunities, a softer neutral color like the Terra Avorio would complement warmer colors and wood tones. The possibilities are endless, but starting with a flooring option will lead to the wall paint, and then furniture and fixture selections. Meet your match with our Mate Collection, and you are on your way to a pleasantly designed space that you will not regret!